[tlhIngan Hol] Klingon Word of the Day: nISwI' tIH

[Steven Boozer]

Klingon Word of the Day for Thursday, August 01, 2024

Klingon word: nISwI' tIH
Part of speech: noun
Definition: disruptor beam
Source: 
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(KGT 56):   Among these are the disruptors or, more properly, phase disruptors, directed-energy weapons similar in function and operation to the Federation's phasers. The general term for disruptor is {nISwI'}. A disruptor pistol or hand-held disruptor (and there are several models of these) is a {nISwI' Hich}; a disruptor rifle (likewise with several models) is a {nISwI' beH}. Larger and more powerful disruptors are mounted on the ship, laid out as {nISwI' DaH} or disruptor banks. These terms are used only for these Klingon weapons. 
    The more general term {pu'}, phaser, may also apply to the Klingon disruptor, but it is used just as often to refer to the Romulan disruptor, Federation phaser, and other similar devices. Since the word is short, {pu'} is heard frequently--even more frequently than {nISwI'}--especially in the throes of combat, in such formations as {pu'Hich} (phaser pistol), {pu'beH} (phaser rifle), {pu'DaH} (phaser banks), and even {pu'beq} (phaser crew, the crew members responsible for the operation of the weapons).  Despite the prevalence of the {pu'} words, in the strictest sense, the correct names for all of these weapons are the {nISwI'} forms. The disruptor pistol, when not in use, may be carried in a holster, or {vaH}, worn on the side of the body and attached to the belt.   
    The verb used for shoot when referring to disruptors is bach.  Technically speaking, one shoots the energy beam from the disruptor.  The general word for any energy beam (ray) is {tIH}, so a disruptor's beam is {nISwI' tIH}.  Thus, the correct formation is {nISwI' tIH bach} ("shoot the disruptor beam").  As a practical matter, however, the {tIH} is often left out, and {nISwI' bach} is the common way to say shoot a disruptor.

(KGT 65):  It may have been noticed that some of the terminology associated with spears is identical to that associated with modern weaponry, and certainly the vocabulary of spear-throwing was adapted for the newer technology.  The meaning of {tIH}, originally shaft of a spear, was extended to include {shaftlike} energy--that is, beam or ray.

SEE ALSO:
nISwI' tal  		disruptor cannon (n)


--
Voragh
Ca'Non Master of the Klingons